Paper aligning apparatus for printer

ABSTRACT

A paper aligning apparatus includes a paper tray, a plurality of blocking tabs, and an ordering block. The paper tray includes a stack of paper. The paper tray includes a first edge and a second edge. The plurality of blocking tabs is located on the paper tray and adjacent the first edge. The plurality of blocking tabs is aligned in a line. The ordering block is movably mounted on the paper tray and adjacent to the second edge. The ordering block pushes the stack of paper in the paper tray so that the plurality of blocking tabs resist against the stack of paper.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to precise paper-stacking, and more particularly to an aligning apparatus providing correctly oriented paper for printers.

2. Description of Related Art

A paper tray for a printer supports a stack of paper. When the printer is in operation, the paper on the paper tray is transmitted into the printer. When a top piece of paper of the stack of papers is transmitted into the printer, a piece of paper below the top piece of paper may be disturbed to become inclined or misaligned. Therefore, the stack of papers becomes disarranged. Furthermore, when the inclined or misaligned sheet of paper is transmitted into the printer, content printed on the paper is also inclined or misaligned.

Therefore, there is room for improvement within the art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Many aspects of the embodiments can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, the emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the embodiments. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

FIG. 1 is an exploded and isometric view of an embodiment of a paper aligning apparatus.

FIG. 2 is similar to FIG. 1, but viewed from another aspect.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of an encircled portion III of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an assembled view of the paper aligning apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is another assembled view of the paper aligning apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is another assembled view of the paper aligning apparatus of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The disclosure is illustrated by way of example and not by way of limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings in which like references indicate similar elements. It should be noted that references to “an” or “one” embodiment in this disclosure are not necessarily to the same embodiment, and such references mean “at least one.”

FIGS. 1 and 2 shows a structure of a paper aligning apparatus for a printer in accordance with an embodiment. The paper aligning apparatus includes a paper tray 10, a driving module 30, and a sensor controlling module.

The paper tray 10 includes a top side 13 and a bottom side 15. The paper tray 10 includes a first edge 11 and a second edge 12 parallel to the first edge 11. The top side 13 forms a plurality of blocking tabs 111 and a mounting block 18 adjacent to the first edge 11. The plurality of blocking tabs 111 is arrayed in a line. The top side 13 defines two sliding grooves 122 adjacent to the second edge 12. The two sliding grooves 122 extend in a direction perpendicular to the second edge 12. An opening 121 is defined between the two sliding grooves 122. The bottom side 15 defines a plurality of first mounting holes 151 adjacent to the first edge 11. The bottom side 15 defines a plurality of first securing holes 152 adjacent to the second edge 12.

The driving module 30 includes a motor 31, an endless and flexible transmission belt 32, an inactive gear 33, a securing member 40, and a ordering block 60. The motor 31 includes an active gear 311. The motor 31 rotates the active gear 311. The motor 31 defines a plurality of second mounting holes 312 corresponding to the plurality of first mounting holes 151. An inner side of the transmission belt 32 defines a plurality of transmission teeth 321. The transmission belt 32 is adapted to wind around the active gear 311 and the inactive gear 33. The inactive gear 33 includes a shaft 331.

The securing member 40 mounts the inactive gear 33 on the paper tray 10. The securing member 40 includes a first piece 41, a second piece 42 parallel to the first piece 41, and a connection piece 47 connected to the first piece 41 and the second piece 42. Each of the first piece 41 and the second piece 42 defines a pivot hole 45. The second piece 42 defines a plurality of second securing holes 43 corresponding to the plurality of first securing holes 152.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, the ordering block 60 includes a guiding piece 61 extending downwardly. A bottom portion of the ordering block 60 defines two inserting holes 62. The guiding piece 61 defines a receiving slot 611 and a tooth slot 614. A width of the receiving slot 611 is larger than a thickness of the transmission belt 32. The receiving slot 611 receives the transmission belt 32 therein. The tooth slot 614 can receive a transmission tooth 321 of the transmission belt 32.

Two sliding feet 65 are mounted on the ordering block 60. Each sliding foot 65 includes an inserting post 651 and a sliding piece 652.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 5, the sensor controlling module includes a first sensor 81, two second sensors 82 and a reflecting piece 83. The first sensor 81 is mounted on the mounting block 18. The reflecting piece 83 is mounted on the ordering block 60. The first sensor 81 emits light to the reflecting piece 83 and receives light reflected from the reflecting piece 83. The two second sensors 82 are mounted on the top side 13 of the paper tray 10 and located adjacent to the second edge 12.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 6, in assembly, the second mounting holes 312 of the motor 31 are aligned to the first mounting holes 151 of the paper tray 10. A plurality of screws is mounted in the first mounting holes 151 and the second mounting holes 312 to mount the motor 31 on the bottom side 15 of the paper tray 10. The inactive gear 33 is located between the first piece 41 and the second piece 42. The shaft 331 of the inactive gear 33 is inserted in the pivot holes 45 to pivotally mount the inactive gear 33 on the securing member 40. The second securing holes 43 of the securing member 40 are aligned to the first securing holes 152 of the paper tray 10. A plurality of screws is mounted in the first securing holes 152 and the second securing holes 43 to mount the securing member 40 on the bottom side 15 of the paper tray 10. Then, the transmission belt 32 is mounted over the active gear 311 and the inactive gear 33.

The inserting posts 651 of the two sliding feet 65 are inserted in the inserting holes 62 of the ordering block 60 to secure the two sliding feet 65 on the ordering block 60. Then, the ordering block 60 is placed on the top side 13 of the paper tray 10. The first sensor 81 faces the reflecting piece 83. The sliding pieces 652 of the two sliding feet 65 are inserted in the guiding grooves 122 of the paper tray 10. The guiding piece 65 extends through the opening 121. The transmission belt 32 runs through the receiving slot 611 of the guiding piece 61. One transmission tooth 321 of the transmission belt 32 engages in the tooth slot 614 of the guiding piece 61. Thereby, the paper aligning apparatus is assembled.

After a stack of sheets of paper is placed on the paper tray 10, the first sensor 81 emits light on a topmost piece of paper of the stack, the topmost piece of paper reflects light to the reflecting piece 83. The reflecting piece 83 in turn reflects light back to the first sensor 81. When the topmost piece of paper is transmitted into the printer, the light reflected back to the first sensor 81 is changed. Then, the first sensor 81 controls the motor to move the transmission belt 32. Because one transmission tooth 321 of the transmission belt 32 is engaged in the tooth slot 614 of the guiding piece 61, the ordering block 60 moves together with the transmission belt 32. The ordering blocks 60 pushes any sheets of paper which are resting against the blocking tabs 111, to neatly re-align and restack the sheets of paper. Then, the motor 31 rotates in reverse to move the ordering block 60 back.

If one or more pieces of paper of the stack of paper are inclined to cover any one of the second sensors 82, the motor 31 also rotates to drive the ordering blocks 60 to re-align the stack of paper from multiple directions. After the stack of paper has been restacked, the motor 31 rotates in reverse to move the ordering block 60 back.

It is to be understood, however, that even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the embodiments have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and functions of the embodiments, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in the matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the present disclosure to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A paper aligning apparatus, comprising: a paper tray configured to hold a stack of paper, the paper tray comprising a first edge and a second edge; a plurality of blocking tabs located on the paper tray and adjacent to the first edge, the plurality of blocking tabs being aligned in a line; and an ordering block movably mounted on the paper tray and adjacent to the second edge, wherein the ordering block is configured to push the stack of paper in the paper tray so that the plurality of blocking tabs resist against the stack of paper to align the stack of paper.
 2. The paper aligning apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a motor and an inactive gear mounted on the paper tray, wherein the motor comprises an active gear, a transmission belt is set on the active gear and the inactive gear, an inner side of the transmission belt comprises a plurality of transmission teeth; the ordering block defines a tooth slot, one tooth of the plurality of transmission teeth is engaged in the tooth slot, and the motor is configured to rotate to move the ordering block together with the transmission belt.
 3. The paper aligning apparatus of claim 2, wherein the motor is mounted on a bottom side of the paper tray and adjacent to the first edge.
 4. The paper aligning apparatus of claim 3, wherein a securing member is mounted on the bottom side of the paper tray and adjacent to the second edge, the securing member comprises a first piece and a second piece, the first piece and the second piece defines pivot holes, the inactive gear comprises a shaft, the inactive gear is between the first piece and the second piece, and the shaft is inserted into the pivot holes to pivotally mount the inactive gear on the securing member.
 5. The paper aligning apparatus of claim 4, wherein the paper tray defines an opening adjacent to the second edge, the ordering block comprises a guiding piece, the guiding piece defines a receiving slot communicating with the tooth slot, the guiding piece is configured to be inserted through the opening, and the transmission belt is configured to be inserted through the receiving slot.
 6. The paper aligning apparatus of claim 1, wherein a sliding foot is mounted on the ordering block, the sliding foot comprises a sliding piece, the paper tray defines a guiding groove, and the sliding piece is configured to slide in the guiding groove.
 7. The paper aligning apparatus of claim 6, wherein the ordering block defines an inserting hole, the sliding foot comprises an inserting post, and the inserting post is inserted into the inserting hole.
 8. The paper aligning apparatus of claim 1, wherein a first sensor is mounted on the paper tray and adjacent to the first edge, a reflecting piece is mounted on the ordering block, the first sensor is configured to emit light on a topmost piece of paper of the stack of paper and to detect light reflected back from the topmost piece of paper and the reflecting piece, and the first sensor is further configured to control movements of the ordering block according the light reflected back to the first sensor.
 9. The paper aligning apparatus of claim 1, wherein a second sensor is mounted on the paper tray, the second sensor is adapted to control the movements of the ordering block when the second sensor is covered.
 10. A paper aligning apparatus, comprising: a paper tray configured to hold a stack of paper, the paper tray comprising a first edge and a second edge; a plurality of blocking tabs located on the paper tray and adjacent to the first edge, the plurality of blocking tabs being aligned in a line; an ordering block movably mounted on the paper tray and adjacent to the second edge; a first sensor mounted on the paper tray and adjacent to the first edge; and a reflecting piece mounted on the ordering block; wherein the first sensor is adapted to emit light on a topmost piece of paper of the stack of paper and to detect light reflected by the topmost piece of paper and the reflecting piece, and the first sensor is adapted to control movements of the ordering block to align the stack of paper.
 11. The paper aligning apparatus of claim 10, wherein a motor and an inactive gear are mounted on the paper tray, the motor comprises an active gear, a transmission belt is set on the active gear and the inactive gear, an inner side of the transmission belt comprises a plurality of transmission teeth; the ordering block defines a tooth slot, one tooth of the plurality of transmission teeth is engaged in the tooth slot, and the motor is configured to rotate to move the ordering block together with the transmission belt.
 12. The paper aligning apparatus of claim 11, wherein the motor is mounted on a bottom side of the paper tray and adjacent to the first edge.
 13. The paper aligning apparatus of claim 12, wherein a securing member is mounted on the bottom side of the paper tray and adjacent to the second edge, the securing member comprises a first piece and a second piece, the first piece and the second piece defines pivot holes, the inactive gear comprises a shaft, the inactive gear is located between the first piece and the second piece, and the shaft is configured to be inserted into the pivot holes to pivotally mount the inactive gear on the securing member.
 14. The paper aligning apparatus of claim 13, wherein the paper tray defines an opening adjacent to the second edge, the ordering block comprises a guiding piece, the guiding piece defines a receiving slot communicating with the tooth slot, the guiding piece is configured to be inserted through the opening, and the transmission belt is inserted through the receiving slot.
 15. The paper aligning apparatus of claim 10, wherein a sliding foot is mounted on the ordering block, the sliding foot comprises a sliding piece, the paper tray defines a guiding groove, and the sliding piece is configured to slide in the guiding groove.
 16. The paper aligning apparatus of claim 15, wherein the ordering block defines an inserting hole, the sliding foot comprises an inserting post, and the inserting post is inserted in the inserting hole.
 17. The paper aligning apparatus of claim 10, wherein a second sensor is mounted on the paper tray, the second sensor is adapted to control the movements of the ordering block to align the stack of paper when the second sensor is covered. 